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case. He is a reasonable man, and I can easily compound with him for any damage or insult." |
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"The king's land is something else again," Alinor commented. "Perhaps you had better look at what Salisbury says before you consider the danger of enraging John further." She pushed toward him the sheet of parchment that was lying near her on the table. |
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"To Ian, Lord de Vipont, greetings," Ian read. "I write in haste before I take ship for England. I have lately left my brother, King John, and at that time someone fulsomely praising him did mention Lord Pembroke, he who was William Marshal, saying neither he nor his late friend Simon Lemagne could have better fought the war. Sir Simon's death being thus called to my lord brother's mind in an idle moment, my lord began to speak of comforting the widow's lonely and unprotected state. He has not yet decided who would be most suitable, but, among others, Fulk de Cantelu and Henry of Cornhill were mentioned. As I know you had an eye to the lady and her lands yourself, and since I am much in your debt, I write to advise you that if your mind is still fixed upon her, you should move apace to gain her consent and even to wed and bed her before my lord fix upon a partner for her and make your suit impossible. If you succeed, remember that I wish to share your joy by being a guest at your nuptials. You will find me fixed for the present at my main seat in Salisbury. My lord brother will grace Winchester with his presence this Christ's Mass, so he will easily be near enough for you to make your peace with him at that time if your suit to Lady Alinor speeds well. I do suppose my lord will come into London some two weeks before his coming to Winchester, but it may be that he will sail to a port nearer Winchester. I hope this finds you as it leaves me, well. Written on the fourth day of October by William, Earl of Salisbury." |
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Ian raised his eyes from the letter and stared straight ahead. Fool that he was to allow Alinor to write a fair |
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